Amanda“You better have good news for me, Nytos,” Granger growls somewhere behind me. His words whisper over a spring wind carrying ash and decay. “The only news I have is that there’s still no sign of Alpha Ryatt or his Luna.”My stomach clenches. I roll a smooth, white rock in the palm of my hand as the conversation continues without me. “And Westfall?”I look over my shoulder in time to catch Commander Nytos shake his head, his eyes downcast and solemn. Granger chews the inside of his cheek, his green eyes sliding to mine. I give my mate a tight smile, praying to the Goddess he can see the love behind my eyes–and the sorrow there. “I’ve spoken to the other commanders,” Nytos continues. “The Alphas need answers, Beta. Are you the King of the Roguelands now?”My heart skips a beat as I watch fury and grief darken his eyes. “No,” he rasps. “Not until we find their bodies.”I close my eyes and turn back to the cairn situated in the center of an area of scorched earth. This is whe
EllaWe don’t linger long at the falls. The sunset fades to a rich, velvety purple by the time I pull the car I borrowed into the massive garage behind the castle. Ryatt didn’t say a word the entire drive back. I glanced at him a few times, noticing the absent look in his eyes as he hung his arm out the window, his fingers splayed in the wind. Now we’re seated at a long table made of glass. Platters of food cover the surface. It’s an informal setting in the informal dining room in Poppy’s massive castle. “Here,” Poppy says, standing to lean over the table and place two huge steaks on Ryatt’s plate. “Eat up.”Ryatt meets her eyes with a soft nod of thanks. She’s already laden his plate twice now, and he’s eaten every morsel of food she’s offered. Still, watching Poppy’s motherly attentiveness to his unspoken needs curls in my heart and threatens to shatter it. She doesn’t really know him, and what she does know about him can’t be good. Yet, she exudes nothing but kindness and love.
EllaMusic thrums through the air, sending steady vibrations over every surface in the crowded, cozy bar. For being such an old dive, it’s always busy, and always full of a young crowd. A mix of lively pop and sensual, drumming house music plays on a loop. The lights are dimmed, and all around us people dance and sway to the music. It’s unlike any tavern or pub Ryatt’s ever been to, I’m sure. He looks skeptical as I clutch his hand and wade through the crowd to the bar. I order three drinks. A sparkling water for me, of course. “These are my favorite,” I tell him as I whirl around holding two identical mixed drinks. I thrust them into his hands. He lifts one and sniffs, then grimaces. “What is it?”“It’s called Sex on the Beach,” I purr, giving his arm a little nudge as I bring my water to my lips.“Why am I holding two drinks?”“Because you’re drinking for two tonight, since I can’t.”Another scowl. He takes a careful sip and narrows his eyes at me. “This doesn’t taste like whi
EllaI can feel his hesitation as he lays me down on the bed. It’ss soft and cool to the touch from the gentle tropical breeze drifting through the open doors leading to a starlit balcony. A shiver snakes over my skin–whether from the chill in the air or the fact Ryatt’s hands are trailing down my sides, I’m not sure. Time is hazy. How long has it been since we’ve been together like this? All of the events leading up to our final, and only, stand against Kane are a blur. And here, in Maatua? I feel like the minutes and hours either crawl or flash by before my eyes, making it hard to determine just how long we’ve been here. But I know it’s been a while since his hands have slid down my thighs, cupping my ass as he scoots me to the very center of the large bed. Unlike before, when the lust and tension had been a burning flame between us, this feels different. Softer. Gentler. I realize he’s worried about me, worried about touching me, and my heart threatens to crumble when I involun
RyattThe main house in the isles echoes with screams. Ella runs ahead of me, her face flushed and colorless as she darts up the stairs and out of sight, leaving me standing in the foyer. All around me, archways lead out onto a wide circular terrace that surrounds the house in its entirety, the view nothing short of peaceful and serene. But the screams… gods, Maddy’s shouts of pain pierce my ears and send shivers down my spine, settling in my gut. Two women dressed in white rush past me, murmuring to each other as they carry handfuls of towels up the stairs. They pass another woman–another healer–carrying a basket of soiled linen in her arms. Blood stains the once white fabric as she runs down another corridor. My stomach twists at the sight, and I turn toward the terrace, unsure of what to do, where to go, or what to even think. I step out into the sunlight and close my eyes for a moment, trying to catch my breath. But a scraping sound catches my attention. I open my eyes and tu
EllaI step back just in time to catch the bundle Isaac places in my arms before he rushes to Maddy’s side. He falls to his knees beside the bed, holding her face in his hands as she sobs, her mouth pulled into a delirious smile. I look down at the baby in my arms, who looks up at me with a scowl. “H-hello there.”His mouth pinches, and he begins to whine. I bounce him gently, unsure of what to do. I look wildly around for help, but the room is a tangle of healers trying to tend to Maddy and the second, much larger baby now resting on her chest while he’s rubbed down with towels. Maddy’s hands shake so violently, she’s barely able to lay a hand on her son’s back, and Isaac… oh, Isaac is a blubbering mess, but I’ve never seen him so raw. He only has eyes for his mate. Only for her. His eyes shine with tears as he says, “Thank the Goddess,” over and over again, pressing the words into her gleaming brow.Mom watches the proceedings like a hawk and then hands Isaac a vial of tears, whic
RyattMaddox watches me from across the coffee table loaded with breakfast foods. Pastries, fruit, and meat sit on delicate plates, surrounded by bottles of juice and three carafes of hot coffee. So far, coffee is all we’ve touched. He’s just been… staring at me. Staring at me for twenty minutes now. I clear my throat, pouring myself a third cup of coffee. “I believe congratulations are in order,” I say. “Two healthy princes and a Luna still living is nothing to scoff at.”“It’s a blessing, to be sure.” Maddox glances at the door, then back at me. “I don’t expect Isaac to come to this meeting today.”“We can discuss your terms without him. He might be the king, but he’s Ella’s brother.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Your opinion on this matter means more to me, and to her, than his.”“Have you spoken to her about the idea of her staying here, at least until the baby is born?” Maddox eyes me cooly, sternly, radiating that primal aura all born Alphas possess. “Of c
Ella“Oh, my Goddess!” I don’t care that I’m screaming for the entire world to hear. My voice echoes off the walls as I barrel down the stairs, practically blind, tears springing from my lashes and rolling down my cheeks. I trip over my own feet and fall to my knees on the tile just as Ryatt reaches my side and hauls me upright. He doesn’t let me go. I squirm in his arms, panting, reaching a hand toward the bloodied man staining the ivory tiles crimson. Westfall’s glacier blue eyes meet mine, but his expression is strained as the wolves hold him down. Several of the wolves have him by their teeth, blood pooling around the wounds they’ve inflicted by getting him on the ground. “Isaac, please!” I shout.Isaac looks from me to Westfall, confusion blurring his features. “Alpha King!” Ryatt shouts, a touch panicked as he holds me back. “Let him go.”Cassian rushes into the room, cursing audibly as he skids to a stop. Hannah is hot on his heels but he swings his arm out to stop her. Sh